Dongwha Timbers opens hi-tech softwood mill in Bombala

After years of talk and aborted attempts to develop the softwood timber industry on the Monaro, Korean company Dongwha has achieved the elusive goal with the construction of a new, high tech sawmill and processing facility.

Previously trading as TASCO the company had originally entered into a joint venture with Wilmott Forests, a Managed Investment Scheme that had planted vast areas of pine around Bombala.

Wilmott later went into receivership before the partnership could achieve its goals.

With investment from the parent company and assistance from the Korean government, and then the Australian government, the company , Dongwha Timbers has expanded the site of the old Bombala sawmill, secured a 20 year timber supply agreement from Forests NSW, and built a modern computer controlled sawmill and timber processing plant.

The new facility will be opened on Friday, 10 May, 2013.

In the audio interview attached with this photostory the Managing Director of Dongwha Timbers, Bart Crawley, talks about the long journey to achieve this enormous development for Bombala and the employment and skills training opportunities for the local community.